MECC Students Join The Two Bite Club

Mason Early Childhood Center Kindergarteners in Susan Ulery's classroom got a lesson in nutrition education from Mason City Schools' very own Child Nutrition Supervisor, Tamara Earl.

On February 22, Earl gave a presentation to both Ulery's AM and PM Kindergarten classes on the importance of healthy eating. A book called the TheTwo Bite Club that encourages at least two bites of something before deciding whether or not it tastes good was read to the students by the MCS dietetic Intern, Kaitlyn Payne.

"I'm hoping it will help them experience an open mindset into the world of food and nutrition for trying and experiencing new things, and discovering that they don't really know about something until they try it!" shred Ulery. "Tamara and I also both hope it will connect what's happening in school with what's happening out of school. We're excited to merge the experience of what happens in the cafeteria with the choices they make outside of the cafeteria."

Earl, Child Nutrition Assistant Supervisor Janelle Brunswick, and Payne from the University of Cincinnati, brought mangos and edamame to share with the class.

"Tamara and I are both excited to teach them about good nutrition and good choices at a really young age to build a base for the love of healthy food choices," added Ulery. "We feel it's so important for the kids to eat nutritionally throughout the day to help their bodies and minds stay healthy, to prevent diseases, and build a good foundation for life."

The Two Bite Club was developed by the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to introduce MyPlate to young children. The characters in the story eat two bites from each food group, and students are encouraged to do the same!

"This was a great opportunity to introduce to the class fresh fruits and vegetables, which are a cornerstone to the MCS school food service program," explained Ulery. "We held this lesson just before the students head to the MECC cafeteria to learn about, and experience, going to the cafeteria for the first time in first grade."